The magic of choosing the right ski resort

The holidays are coming and a lot of us are planning to spend most of it on skis, but what makes all the difference in the quality of your holiday is choosing the right resort to ski. There is a lot to consider, but for starters, here are some basic pointers and ideas that can help you find the right place for the holiday skiing. Even if this is not your first time on ski or snow boards, there might be useful points to consider.

The first important thing is that there is no international universal scale that would indicate the level of skill required on the ski slopes, although it is probably the first to consider. Almost all resorts have multiple trails (or piste) and they rate the level on their website or brochure with colors or symbols. However, ski resorts assign their ratings on their own trails subjectively, so you need to dig a bit deeper into this information. The trails are rated by their most difficult part, so you won’t get caught on a trail that sets out easy but ends rough. If you have children just learning to ski, it is twice as important to look into the rating of the trails at the resort. As a rule of thumb: always read the reviews about the resort.

Secondly, and as a word of warning: several ski instructors are employed without a professional certificate, so if you or your children are just starting to learn this great sport, it might make a difference to find the right place with the right instructor. There are internationally recognized certificates for both ski and snowboard instruction, It might be worth checking if your resort employs instructors with certificates from one of these organizations: http://www.easkiandsnowboard.com/faqs/certifications/

Last but not least, a trivial but super important thing to consider is the altitude. A lot of people do not factor in that ski resorts are mostly located at much higher altitudes than their home place which can result in altitude sickness or mountain sickness. Symptoms are caused by the lower density of oxygen and the different air pressure, and might start at 1,500 meters or even lower. The symptoms can manifest in shortage of breath, hangover, dizziness and muscle aches. This condition is not serious and does not last long, but it can affect your performance on the snow, and as such, might result in injuries. The best advice is to take the first days slow and give yourself time to get used to the different circumstances. It might also be useful to book your accommodation at a lower altitude and take the trip to the trails in the mornings, so that the stress on your body would be gradual.

There is a lot more to say about the topic, stay with us and read our next posts to learn more.